Dual durometer elastomer artificial disc

Abstract

An intervertebral motion disc comprising core material surrounded by a non-resorbable outer shell having a sidewall surrounding the core, wherein the sidewall of the outer shell has a hardness of more than 80 Shore A.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a normal spine, a healthy intervertebral disc can compress about 1 mm when subjected to an axial load of 750 pounds force (3.4 kN). This ability to compress in response to axial loads provides the spine with an effective shock absorber against high loads. The leading cause of lower back pain arises from rupture or degeneration of lumbar intervertebral discs. Pain in the lower extremities is caused by the compression of spinal nerve roots by a bulging disc, while lower back pain is caused by collapse of the disc and by the adverse effects of articulation weight through a damaged, unstable vertebral joint. One proposed method of managing these problems is to remove the problematic disc and replace it with a prosthetic disc that allows for the natural motion between the adjacent vertebrae (“a motion disc”). Many prosthetic motion discs seek to mimic the flexion, extension and lateral bending of the natural disc by providing an articulating interface. F...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This invention is advantageous because the outer shell contacts the core along its sidewall surfaces as well, thereby providing more contact between these components, and reducing the chances of delamination therebetween.

Problems solved by technology

However, since it is known that the shear forces acting upon an intervertebral disc are quite significant, the endplates components of Lee and Parsons may be subject to such high shear forces that they may separate from the remainder of the disc.

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